The Record: Saving space

PRESERVING OPEN space in New Jersey is important. Preserving the integrity of New Jersey's state constitution is equally important. The latter should not be amended to provide funding for the former.

There are two bills in the Legislature — one in the state Senate and one in the Assembly — offering differing formulas for providing funding for the state's Green Acres program. The Senate bill would amend the state constitution and provide up to $200 million annually for 30 years from a portion of the sales tax. The Assembly bill would send a $200 million bond proposal to voters.

The Senate bill provides a long-term funding source for open-space preservation for the nation's most densely populated state. New Jersey saw a rise in sales tax revenue last year, which proponents of the Senate bill say will guarantee that other programs will not be cut to fund open-space acquisition. There are flaws in this logic.

First, this is a 30-year commitment — sales-tax revenues are not always going to be on the rise, so valuable state programs could indeed be cut in future years. But we are even more concerned about legislators jumping to amend the state constitution at the drop of a hat. An ill-advised amendment to the state constitution raising the minimum wage passed last November. And as in the minimum-wage amendment, we are not against what legislators want to achieve; it is the way it is being achieved.

New Jersey is not California; we do not want the state constitution subjected to the whims of the moment, continually changing because legislators fail to do what they are elected to do in the first place: craft laws. The Assembly bill is more sensible.

Yes, it is a so-called one-shot. But New Jerseyans have consistently shown support for open-space funding: All 13 statewide ballot proposals on Green Acres' funding have passed. The program has had extraordinary success, with 640,000 acres preserved. Continued funding of this program is essential to the long-term needs of future New Jersey residents.

We believe voters are capable of being trusted with making the right decision on a bond question. But as important as Green Acres funding is, open-space protection may not be as high a priority as other programs in tight economic times. The Great Recession was a lesson for all of us. Amending the state constitution and dedicating a portion of the sales tax for 30 years to open-space preservation is bad public policy.

If the Legislature believes the sales tax revenue is a better vehicle for funding than a bond referendum, then it should vote on that, and for a period far less than 30 years. But leave the state constitution as it is.

The Assembly approach is sound. Funding will continue, and future legislatures can address the next round of funding. If no compromise is reached between the Senate and Assembly before the current legislative session ends this month, funding for Green Acres will cease. That serves no one.

Legislators need to find common ground; the Assembly bill is the place to start.

The Record: Saving space

PRESERVING OPEN space in New Jersey is important. Preserving the integrity of New Jersey's state constitution is equally important. The latter should not be amended to provide funding for the former.

There are two bills in the Legislature — one in the state Senate and one in the Assembly — offering differing formulas for providing funding for the state's Green Acres program. The Senate bill would amend the state constitution and provide up to $200 million annually for 30 years from a portion of the sales tax. The Assembly bill would send a $200 million bond proposal to voters.

The Senate bill provides a long-term funding source for open-space preservation for the nation's most densely populated state. New Jersey saw a rise in sales tax revenue last year, which proponents of the Senate bill say will guarantee that other programs will not be cut to fund open-space acquisition. There are flaws in this logic.

First, this is a 30-year commitment — sales-tax revenues are not always going to be on the rise, so valuable state programs could indeed be cut in future years. But we are even more concerned about legislators jumping to amend the state constitution at the drop of a hat. An ill-advised amendment to the state constitution raising the minimum wage passed last November. And as in the minimum-wage amendment, we are not against what legislators want to achieve; it is the way it is being achieved.

New Jersey is not California; we do not want the state constitution subjected to the whims of the moment, continually changing because legislators fail to do what they are elected to do in the first place: craft laws. The Assembly bill is more sensible.

Yes, it is a so-called one-shot. But New Jerseyans have consistently shown support for open-space funding: All 13 statewide ballot proposals on Green Acres' funding have passed. The program has had extraordinary success, with 640,000 acres preserved. Continued funding of this program is essential to the long-term needs of future New Jersey residents.

We believe voters are capable of being trusted with making the right decision on a bond question. But as important as Green Acres funding is, open-space protection may not be as high a priority as other programs in tight economic times. The Great Recession was a lesson for all of us. Amending the state constitution and dedicating a portion of the sales tax for 30 years to open-space preservation is bad public policy.

If the Legislature believes the sales tax revenue is a better vehicle for funding than a bond referendum, then it should vote on that, and for a period far less than 30 years. But leave the state constitution as it is.

The Assembly approach is sound. Funding will continue, and future legislatures can address the next round of funding. If no compromise is reached between the Senate and Assembly before the current legislative session ends this month, funding for Green Acres will cease. That serves no one.

Legislators need to find common ground; the Assembly bill is the place to start.